Ken. Gosper was an ex-Katanning lad.
1938
COMMUNITY CONCERT – FIRST OF 1938 SEASON.
The first community concert of the season took place on Thursday night in the Town Hall, when a fair gathering of enthusiasts fallowed Conductor Gordon “Billy Edwards” Beeck. As usual, Mrs. Kath. Williams did yeoman service at the piano. A new feature at this season’s concerts will be the use of slides for community numbers. They were introduced on Thursday and proved very popular. Mr. Palmer has kindly put the use of his plant at the disposal of the committee, and Mr. Max. Tonkin has undertaken the showing of the slides. Gordon himself has undertaken their preparation, and the first batch to be used consisted of the latest and most popular screen hits, such as “Rainbow on the River,” “”Hiis’ll Make You Whistlf,” “Moonlight and Shadows,” and many other not so new but still very popular. The committee is to be congratulated on this splendid innovation.
During the evening four artists appeared and were well received by the audience. Mr. Ken. Gosper played two piano solos, consisting of medleys of popular song-hits. Mr. Cliff. Pearson, who was accompanied by Mr. Beeck, rendered two delightful violin solos— “Tosselli’s Serenade” and. “Ah, Sweet Mystery of life.” • Ever-popular Mrs. Floyd sang two numbers, “Trees” and “Goodnight, My Love,” the latter being especially well received. She was accompanied by Mrs. A. Norrish. A piano solo by Mrs. Leppard was warmly applauded by the audience.
Conductor Gordon has yet another successful concert to his credit, his judicious mixing of community items, artists and slide songs and witticisms from the stage making a grand evening’s entertainment. During the evening, he announced that a concert would be held next Thursday, when a special programme would be offered, including a little dancer from Perth who appeared here last-year, local Artists and slide songs.
Great Southern Herald (Katanning, WA), Saturday 7 May 1938, page 5
1939
THE BOYS IN CAMP: Katanning Detachment 11th Battalion in Training.
Some nought-o-naught militiamen of the Katanning Detachment, 11th Battalion, entrained on November 10th for one month’s continual training in the metropolitan area, and from “Somewhere in Melville” comes news of their activities.
Travelling to Perth, they somewhat let down the reputation of the A.I.F.; but, although the engine-driver was obliged to wait on them at every station before proceeding, they at least did not pull the Railway Department’s property to pieces, and all arrived sound in wind and limb. They were met at Perth and transported to their future home by motor ‘buses, arriving tired and hungry shortly after noon.
The camp itself is ideal. Situated amid towering redgums, it presents the appearance perhaps more gene rally accepted as fitting a tourist camping ground than a military training camp. Row on row of teats pitched in a hollow amid the trees house the troops, while on the slope well-constructed and airy iron mess
huts are a popular rendezvous for a seemingly endless stream of men at the mess parades. Situated so close to civilisation, extra, conveniences are available in the form of a decent water supply, which operates in excellently constructed showers and wash basins, and all mess huts are electrically lighted.
Work for the day concludes at 4.30p.m., and after tea at 5.30 troops can obtain leave till 10.30 p.m. Many take advantage of the opportunity of getting out of camp, but a great number adjourn to the nearby Y.M.C.A. or Salvation Army tents, where letters may be written or books read and a wireless enjoyed. Entertainment is also to be found within the camp confines, and Ken. Gosper, an ex-Katanning lad, is ever popular with his piano-accordeon. It is a common sight to see anything up to a hundred men grouped around his tent in the evening, enjoying his gifted playing and wholeheartedly singing any familiar tune; nor is his audience confined to the “ungodly” and non coms., for often Sam Browns can be seen glistening in the light of theswinging lantern.
The camp of some nought-nought o-o men rises at 5.30 a.m., and after a morning run at 6 o’clock cleans up tents and prepares for the day’s toil till 7 a.m., what breakfast is ready. Getting under way at eight, the troops work till the welcome break for lunch at 12.30, and re-commence at 2 p.m. for a further 2 1/2 hours’ work. The need of the inner man is well catered for, a three-course meal being served at night while break-fast and lunch are all one could ask for.
Saturday afternoon and Sunday were spent cleaning up the camp site, and on Monday real work began. Troops worked on Tuesday morning, but in the afternoon only one parade was held—an M.O. parade at which they were “shot” for typhoid. “Shot” is the ideal word to use, as some of the lads, well primed beforehand with camp gossip, gently but most ungracefully passed out in the process, some before and others after.
CAMP LETTERS.
The camp is served with a daily inward and outward mail service, and all letters should be addressed to “C” Company, 11th Battalion Camp, Melville,” giving the rank of the addressee.
This article is merely to serve as an introduction, to the camp, giving a background to the life under training conditions. Next Saturday we shall publish some of the lighter side of camp life.
Great Southern Herald (Katanning, WA), Saturday 18 November 1939, page 4
1946
SUNDAY JULY 28 1946 – MAKE THIS A DATE — GALA COMMUNITY AND VARIETY CONCERT, Princess Theatre Fremantle (Kindly loaned by Grand Theatres) Proceeds in aid Fremantle City R.S.L.. LOOK AT THIS LINE-UP OF TOP-LINE ARTISTS: Joan Bridger — Sweet Singer of Popular Songs. Jackie Harrison — Our Own youthful Larry Adler. Frank Fenn — the Very Different Funny Man. Len Ford -Fremantle’s Popular Baritone. Ken Gosper — and his Melodious Piano Accordeon. Angus McLean — Master Exponent of the Trumpet. Betty Elder – Vocalist. And ‘THE HOT SHOTS’— Non-Stop Crazy Musical Act Including: Merv Rowston at the Drums and Horno-Washboard. Jack Samuels — The Singing Cowboy. Lionel and A. — The Barnyard Musical Duo. Skinny Guy – Corn Doctor. THIS IS A RIOT ! ! Quick-Fire Quiz. Boodle for Brains. Cash Prizes. Introducing ‘Asparagus’, The Quiz Kid.
On Thursday evening last Mr. Evans of Perth brought his vaudeville show to Toodyay to present the “Gaieties of 1946.”
Among the artists, most of whom were returned servicemen, were: “Nutty” Cook (drummer), Greta Hall (singer), Mr. Rennie (comedian), Ken Gosper (piano accordion), Yvonne Teague (ballerina), Miss Wylie (ballet mistress), Mr. Young (saxophonist, clarionet and violinist), Miss Cecilia Young (show girl and ballet dancer), Great Devante (Master of Magic), Ian Meale (female impersonator) and Eric Allen (novelty pianist and musical director). Some very interesting funnies were put over by the talented comedian and ballet dancing was also well received by the large audience. Orchestral and band musical numbers were sundered right throughout the programme, making excellent accompaniments for the well-known and most popular numbers sung by Greta Hall. This show will be presented in Kalgoorlie tomorrow night and will .be leaving for South Australia early in January. We wish Mr. Evans and all his artists the very best of luck and trust they may return at a later date with bigger shows for a much increased audience of people.
Toodyay Herald (WA : 1912 – 1954), Friday 22 November 1946, page 12
1953
BRUNSWICK – HAPPY CHRISMAS PARTY AT LOCAL CREAMERY DEPOT An artist’s impression of the proposed new premises of the Brunswick depot for Peter’s Creamers Ltd., dominated the scene, when over 400 producers and customers of the district were entertained by the firm on Wednesday last at Brunswick. Perth artists in A.B.C. announcer Peter Harrison, Martin Gischus, Al. Thompson and Lionel Urquhart, with Ken Gosper at the piano, provided the tempo for the happy throng, who seated at the long tables in the hall, thoroughly enjoyed the party.
Harvey-Murray Times (Bunbury, WA), Thursday 24 December 1953, page 8